The Queensland Reds are reeling after announcing Lachie Turner will be sidelined for five weeks due to ankle surgery. The Reds back missed last round's loss to the Western Force but the 11th-placed Queenslanders had been hopeful he would be fit for a crunch clash with the Brumbies at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.

However, the Reds revealed on Tuesday that Turner would not be considered until round 14 after he underwent clean up surgery on loose ankle cartilage.

"It is disappointing to lose Lachie (Turner). He has been playing very well and has offered some versatility among the back three," Reds coach Richard Graham said. "He suffered a fracture and dislocation of his ankle in early 2013. Unfortunately some cartilage has come loose in the same ankle and is irritating the joint."

Queensland have recalled tough-tackling centre Anthony Fainga'a and young gun Chris Feauai-Sautia to their injury-hit backline. Fainga'a gets his first start of the year with inside centre Mike Harris battling Achilles tendon soreness ahead of the crucial Rod Macqueen Cup match at Suncorp Stadium.

The return of Wallabies three-quarter Feauai-Sautia on the wing is the biggest boost for Queensland, who have lost three of their past four matches to be in 11th place. The Reds have missed the 20-year-old's tackle-shedding ability in his time out with a hamstring strain. He replaces rookie Jamie-Jerry Taulagi, who returns to the bench, while the under-rated Ben Lucas remains at fullback.

"Chris has worked hard during the past four weeks and looks in really good shape," Graham said. "His explosive running will be an asset for us. We are fortunate to have Ant Fainga'a as a straight replacement for Harris. He brings a lot of experience to the midfield."

Fainga'a's twin Saia returns to the bench for his long-awaited 100th Super match after a shoulder injury ruled him out of the past two games.

"The chance to share the milestone with his brother will mean a lot to the both of them," Graham said.

The Reds have stuck with their worker-bee back-row amid calls for the bigger Curtis Browning to start at flanker against the second-placed Brumbies. Graham conceded the Reds needed to be better at closing out games after failing to put the Lions and Western Force away in costly losses.

"We have lost two of our last three matches by three points, so controlling the back end of the game will be important," he said.